Lighting

• Open undergrate air control or damper if available
• Leave undergrate cover off whilst lighting for maximum undergrate air draw
• Open chimney dampers if available
• Light your fire using paper and stick, firelighters and stick or small logs
• Place layer of fuel on top of grate, then add stick and firelighters or stick and paper and then a small pile of fuel on top.
• As the fire catches alight, more fuel can be added as desired
• Top up fire when the initial fuel has burned down.

Slumbering

• Close air dampers to minimum settings
• De-ash fuel
• Refuel the appliance to capacity
• Allow fire to recover for up to 30 minutes
• Set thermostat to low and close dampers.

Burning

• Adjust ash pit cover or undergrate air control/chimney dampers to control the rate of burn and heat output.
• Do not de-ash too aggressively as this cools the fire.
• Leave some fuel in a coal scuttle by the fireside to condition the fuel before you need it for optimum burn performance
• Do not let the fire die down too far before refueling - maintain an adequate fire pit.

Recovery

• Lightly de-ash fire
• Remove ash pit cover or undergrate air control
• Set Thermostat on high
• Refuel and replace ash pit

Refueling

• De-ash fire at least every five hours or as necessary

Other Points

• Appliances and burn patterns are all different
• Follow manufacturer's instructions as a guide
• Service appliances and sweep chimney as per HETAS guidelines for optimum burn performance
• Always use fireguard when children or pets are present
• Use a carbon monoxide alarm